LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025 winner: LABC Newcomer of the Year
Building excellence throughout the construction industry has been celebrated at the LABC Grand Finals 2025.
The LABC Building Excellence Awards have long been established as the premier accolades within the industry; recognising the companies and individuals that demonstrate a commitment to competence, quality and standards in delivering safe and sustainable buildings for the communities we live and work in.
Over 800 individuals from across England and Wales, came together on 23 January 2026, showcasing the amazing people and projects working in our industry.
Lorna Stimpson, CEO at LABC, said:
“True excellence is based on a demonstrable commitment to competence, quality and standards, which are the foundations of our awards.”
LABC is delighted to announce that the WINNER of the LABC Newcomer of the Year is Thomas Crouch, Hertfordshire Building Control.
Thomas Crouch has demonstrated exceptional progress and professionalism since joining Hertfordshire Building Control in 2023. In just two years, he has completed his Band A BSCF assessment, becoming a Class 2A Registered Building Inspector. He has earned two promotions and now manages his own geographical area. Tom is currently on track to achieve a first-class honours degree through the apprenticeship levy funded LABC Building Control Degree at the University of Wolverhampton. His attention to detail, clear communication, and willingness to support colleagues has earned him multiple Employee of the Month awards, reflecting his commitment to excellence and teamwork.
Working as part of Hertfordshire Building Control, Thomas has shown outstanding collaboration and technical ability. He engages proactively with colleagues and clients, ensuring compliance and quality through clear, concise inspection notes and effective communication. His use of detailed records and methodical processes supports seamless project progression, while his dedication to continuous learning (particularly around the Building Safety Act) demonstrates his commitment to raising standards across the industry.
The judges praised Thomas for his exceptional progression and professionalism, describing him as,
“exemplifying the next generation of Building Control professionals that are technically assured, customer-focused, and deeply committed to public service.”
A range of categories celebrated on the night highlight the diverse portfolio of projects delivered within the industry alongside the project teams that are committed to delivering compliant and high-quality buildings for our communities.
Full list of LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final award winners: www.labc.co.uk/awards
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